StMaryNow.com | Franklin Banner-Tribune & Morgan City Daily-Review | St. Mary Parish, La. - Drew Breeshttp://www.daily-review.com/drew-brees
enSaints error-prone, Brees' home TD-streak snappedhttp://www.daily-review.com/sports-nfl/saints-error-prone-brees-home-td-streak-snapped
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/Saints%20logo_0.gif?itok=kuM02vUx"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/Saints%20logo_0.gif?itok=kuM02vUx" width="350" height="428" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>NEW ORLEANS — Drew Brees let a shotgun snap sail through his hands for a 22-yard loss on the New Orleans Saints’ third play against Detroit.<br />
The rest of Sunday didn’t get any better for Brees or the Saints.<br />
A week after throwing four touchdown passes in a 49-21 rout of the Rams, Brees went without a scoring toss for the first time in 60 home games. New Orleans (5-7) lost 28-13, remaining two games behind Atlanta in the NFC South with four to play.<br />
Brees salvaged another 300-yard passing day on a meaningless drive in the final seconds. But he also tossed a season-high three interceptions. His quarterback rating of 63.3 was by far his lowest of the year after he entered with the third-best rating in the NFL (109.1). It was his worst rating in any game since a 24-6 loss to Houston on Nov. 29, 2015.<br />
“We looked sluggish,” coach Sean Payton said. “It looked like we came off a short week or something.”<br />
The Saints failed to pick up a first down on third-and-1 the first two times they had the ball, beginning with Brees’ flubbed snap.<br />
“I kind of took my eyes off it to look up to see what was happening and mishandled it,” he said. “That’s on me. You have to convert third downs to keep drives alive, and we didn’t do it at the start. I don’t know what it was in the second half, but I know it was pretty abysmal in the first half.”<br />
That was one of many missed opportunities for the Saints.<br />
One play before the botched snap, Mark Ingram appeared to have room along the sideline for first-down yardage, but stepped out of bounds just short.<br />
On Detroit’s opening series, cornerback Sterling Moore dropped a deflected pass near the sideline with no one between him and the end zone. Detroit then kicked a field goal.<br />
“I should have high-pointed it instead of letting it come down and slipping through my hands,” Moore said. “We would have had momentum from the get-go.”<br />
Tight end Coby Fleener dropped a pass in the end zone with 5 seconds left in the first half, forcing the Saints to settle for a field goal to make the score 13-6.<br />
“I feel like I let him (Brees) down, and I’m sure other guys do as well,” Fleener said. “It’s a tough feeling.”<br />
Defensive end Cameron Jordan let a pass he batted in the air slip through his grasp for what could have been an interception when the Saints trailed 19-13 in the fourth quarter. On the next snap, the Lions’ Matthew Stafford connected with Golden Tate for a 66-yard touchdown.<br />
The long scoring toss was Detroit’s third conversion on a third down of 10 or more yards, leading to 16 points.<br />
“We’re probably ranked dead last in third-and-long in the league right now,” New Orleans safety Kenny Vaccaro said. “We give up those big plays that really stab us.”<br />
The Saints, who have not been above .500 since making the playoffs in 2013, will have to win their last four games to get a winning mark this year.<br />
“We don’t like being up and down,” Brees said. “But that’s the way it’s been the past few years, and this year as well.”</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-kicker field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">By GUERRY SMITH, The Associated Press</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Section:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/sports" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Sports</span></a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/nfl" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>NFL</span></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/drew-brees" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Drew Brees</span></a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/brees" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Brees</span></a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/saints" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Saints</span></a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/loss" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>loss</span></a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/lose" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>lose</span></a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/detroit" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Detroit</span></a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/new-orleans" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>New Orleans</span></a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/errors" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>errors</span></a></div></div></div>Mon, 05 Dec 2016 14:56:47 +0000StMaryNow.com39294 at http://www.daily-review.comhttp://www.daily-review.com/sports-nfl/saints-error-prone-brees-home-td-streak-snapped#commentsPayton, Brees not sure what futures hold with Saintshttp://www.daily-review.com/nfl/payton-brees-not-sure-what-futures-hold-saints
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/football_544.jpg?itok=Hv9KVk8Y"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/football_544.jpg?itok=Hv9KVk8Y" width="350" height="525" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-dateline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">ATLANTA — </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The New Orleans Saints could be near the end of a 10-year era with coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees working in tandem.<br />
For the Atlanta Falcons, the future isn’t exactly all that clear, either.<br />
General manager Thomas Dimitroff and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan might be looking for new jobs, too, after the Saints beat Atlanta 20-17 in Sunday’s season finale.<br />
The game did little to decide who will stay or will go for either team.<br />
Though Brees is under contract through next year and Payton through 2017, both were asked about their plans after New Orleans finished 7-9 for the third time in four years.<br />
Brees, whose deal will count $30 million against the Saints’ salary cap, said he doesn’t want to play elsewhere.<br />
Payton cut his postgame news conference short when questioned about his plans.<br />
“No, listen, we get in tomorrow,” he said. “We’ve got to evaluate the roster. We’ve got a lot of things we’ve got to do. If I feel the need to get you an itinerary, I will. That’s the answer, though. That’s the answer. That’s the answer. You with me? I can’t be more clear.”<br />
The Saints are 87-57 under Payton, who won New Orleans’ only Super Bowl title but was suspended in 2012 following a bounty scandal.<br />
First-year Falcons coach Dan Quinn, who has the final say over Atlanta’s football operations, will meet with reporters later in the week to discuss big-picture issues.<br />
Dimitroff, the Falcons’ GM since 2008, helped the team to five straight winning seasons and four playoff appearances, but largely whiffed on drafting offensive linemen and linebackers.<br />
Shanahan, in his first year on Atlanta’s staff, saw his offense struggle with ball security and quarterback Matt Ryan’s regression in touchdown-interception margin.<br />
Some notes from Sunday’s game:<br />
ELITE COMPANY: Falcons Pro Bowl receiver Julio Jones caught nine passes for 149 yards to finish with one of the NFL’s most prolific seasons.<br />
His 136 catches and 1,871 yards receiving both rank second-best. Only Indianapolis’ Marvin Harrison, with 143 catches in 2002, and Detroit’s Calvin Johnson, with 1,964 yards receiving in 2012, had better seasons.<br />
Jones wasn’t impressed with himself, particularly after a loss that made Atlanta (8-8) the seventh team to begin a season 5-0 and miss the playoffs.<br />
“Nothing,” he said when asked what the numbers mean. “I just do what my team asks of me. I just try to go out there and make plays and I’m going to try to do better next year.”<br />
PAUSE FOR A PIC: Brees posed for a postgame picture with receiver Marques Colston and offensive linemen Zach Strief and Jahri Evans. They’ve been teammates since 2006, but don’t know if they’ll be together next season.<br />
Colston, Strief and Evans were a big part of Brees becoming the first player in league history with seven 4,500-yard seasons. He also owns the NFL record for at least 300 yards passing in 96 games.<br />
“With four guys on one side of the ball to maintain kind of that status, for 10 years in one place, that’s really hard to do, especially in this day and age.” Brees said. “It’s a special group.”<br />
YOUR TURN TO BLOW IT: The Falcons took turns making costly mistakes in the fourth quarter.<br />
Ryan threw his team’s chances away with an interception at the 1:42 mark. Running back Devonta Freeman lost a fumble at the New Orleans 3-yard line. And left guard Andy Levitre’s unnecessary roughness penalty on third down wiped out Justin Hardy’s 6-yard catch and a chance at a field goal.<br />
“There was no intention to cheap-shot anybody,” Levitre said. “I was just trying to help the receiver make a play.”<br />
EASY TO SPOT: One problem facing Shanahan is a predictable playbook.<br />
Saints cornerback Jamarca Sanford said secondary coach Wesley McGriff reminded him before the 2-minute warning that Atlanta tends to throw to the tailback when it motions a tight end to spread the formation in its 2-minute offense.<br />
Sure enough, Sanford knew exactly when to jump Freeman’s route and pick off Ryan to set up the winning field goal.<br />
“I knew they were running the angle route,” Sanford said. “It was a good job of coach putting me in the right place.”<br />
GOOD CALL: New Orleans tight end Benjamin Watson was surprised to know he kept both feet inside the left edge of the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter. Payton successfully challenged to overturn the ruling.<br />
“It was a great challenge by (Payton),” Watson said. “When I looked up (at the video board), I was out of bounds. I didn’t realize I got my foot in.”</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-kicker field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">By GEORGE HENRY, Associated Press</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Section:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/nfl" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>NFL</span></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/sean-payton" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Sean Payton</span></a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/drew-brees" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Drew Brees</span></a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/new-orleans-saints" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>New Orleans Saints</span></a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/nfl-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>NFL</span></a></div></div></div>Mon, 04 Jan 2016 20:40:09 +0000Geoffrey Stoute33303 at http://www.daily-review.comhttp://www.daily-review.com/nfl/payton-brees-not-sure-what-futures-hold-saints#commentsBrees laughs off questions about his future with Saints http://www.daily-review.com/nfl/brees-laughs-questions-about-his-future-saints
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/football_536.jpg?itok=-diNTndW"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/football_536.jpg?itok=-diNTndW" width="350" height="525" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-dateline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">METAIRIE —</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Drew Brees sees no reason to portray the Saints’ season finale in Atlanta as the possible end of an era in New Orleans.<br />
Brees laughed when asked if he expects to be back next season, and questioned the job qualifications of anyone who’d report otherwise.<br />
“I wonder how some people in this industry have a job, reporting some of the stuff that they report, with their sources or their cousin or whoever,” Brees said. “That’s why I just kind of laugh.<br />
“Call me naive or just call me somebody who has a feeling. I feel like we’re headed in the right direction.”<br />
After last season, coach Sean Payton put together a plan for “acquiring the type of veterans, the type of young talent, the type of leadership, character that we need to kind of build a foundation on which we can make a run at it here,” Brees said. “I feel like that’s what’s taking place here right now.”<br />
The Saints are about to conclude consecutive losing seasons for the first time since Payton was hired as coach in 2006 and quickly brought in Brees as his quarterback.<br />
Brees noted that the Saints weren’t much better in the two seasons before winning their only Super Bowl in the 2009 season. They were 7-9 in 2007 and 8-8 in 2008.<br />
If the Saints are going to keep Brees, financial maneuvering might be involved. He has one more season left on his contract, which counts about $30 million against the 2016 salary cap. One way to lower that number next season would be to extend Brees, who’ll turn 37 next month — if the Saints see him as their starter for the next several years.<br />
Brees declined to discuss his contract and said it won’t be a concern in any event until after Sunday’s game.<br />
Brees has passed for 4,547 yards and 31 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. If Brees doesn’t throw an interception in Atlanta on Sunday, he’ll have tied his lowest interception total in any season as a Saint.<br />
His numbers have come despite a shoulder injury that forced him to sit out a game earlier this season and a torn plantar fascia in his right foot that has forced him to play in pain for more than a game and a half.<br />
Brees expects to play once more this week on his injured right foot before finally getting the rest he needs to heal.<br />
Veteran right tackle Zach Strief called the idea of New Orleans parting ways with Brees “ridiculous,” adding, “I can’t fathom it happening to that guy at this point in his career. He’s too good.”<br />
Whether Strief and several other longtime offensive starters return is another matter.<br />
Like Strief, receiver Marques Colston and right guard Jahri Evans are about to finish their 10th NFL seasons — all with New Orleans.<br />
Evans said after last Sunday’s game that he expects to return.<br />
“Me and Coach Payton talked this offseason and I don’t think I’m going anywhere,” Evans said. “I love playing for Drew. I think he’s the best quarterback in the game, so I plan on being here as long as he’s here.”<br />
Strief said he doesn’t feel like he is finished either, but acknowledged that he might not be a starter much longer with New Orleans having used its top draft pick last spring on tackle Andrus Peat.<br />
“As long as they want me back here, and we can come to an agreement on what that means financially, I’ll be here,” Strief said, adding that he intends to retire as a Saint. “When they say, ‘We’re done with you,’ I’m not going to another team.”<br />
Colston has not discussed his future lately and was not in the locker room when it was open to media on Wednesday. He did not play last week because of a chest injury and his numbers are down this season. But Brees said Colston’s leadership and presence on and off the field has helped young receivers Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead both have big seasons.<br />
“His influence is felt even if he is not the one that is necessarily catching the ball,” Brees said of Colston, who has 45 catches for 520 yards and four TDs. “He has been a big impact on the offense and those (younger) guys.”<br />
Notes: The Saints placed running back C.J. Spiller on injured reserve for the final game. Payton had said when Spiller was scratched last Sunday that the running back, acquired last offseason, has struggled to regain strength in his leg since preseason arthroscopic knee surgery.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-kicker field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">By BRETT MARTEL, AP Sports Writer</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Section:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/nfl" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>NFL</span></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/drew-brees" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Drew Brees</span></a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/new-orleans-saints" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>New Orleans Saints</span></a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/nfl-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>NFL</span></a></div></div></div>Thu, 31 Dec 2015 16:32:04 +0000Geoffrey Stoute33265 at http://www.daily-review.comhttp://www.daily-review.com/nfl/brees-laughs-questions-about-his-future-saints#commentsDespite obstacles, Brees strong in winhttp://www.daily-review.com/nfl/despite-obstacles-brees-strong-win
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/football_531.jpg?itok=4mipp4zU"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/football_531.jpg?itok=4mipp4zU" width="350" height="525" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-dateline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">NEW ORLEANS — </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>If playing on an injured right foot wasn’t challenging enough, Drew Brees also took the field with a Saints offense missing several starters, including franchise all-time receiving yards leader Marques Colston, running back Mark Ingram and right tackle Zach Strief.<br />
Coach Sean Payton had also decided that C.J. Spiller had yet to regain the form he possesses before preseason knee surgery, so he was held out, replaced by newly re-acquired running back Travaris Cadet, who’d been claimed off of waivers this past week.<br />
There were plenty of pitfalls and excuses to fail, but Brees hardly appeared fazed. Instead, he put together the 13th 400-yard passing game of his career, throwing for three touchdowns in a 38-27 triumph over Jacksonville on Sunday.<br />
“People might say we have nothing to play for as far as playoffs and such, but we have a lot to play for,” said Brees, who passed for 412 yards. “We’re continuing to build what is going to be a great team for years to come.”<br />
Tim Hightower added 122 yards and two touchdowns rushing for New Orleans (6-9), which needs to win its season finale in Atlanta next Sunday to avoid what would be its first 10-loss season since Payton became coach in 2006.<br />
The Jaguars (5-10) were eliminated from playoff contention when Houston beat Tennessee as the Jacksonville-New Orleans matchup was just kicking off. Yet the Jags also have several young players whose performances have created optimism about the franchise’s future. Coach Gus Bradley wanted to see the development of those players remain on track in New Orleans. In the case of second-year quarterback Blake Bortles, as well as top receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, the day didn’t go so poorly.<br />
Jacksonville was doomed by a slow start on a day when Brees seemed locked in, much like he had been against Detroit six days earlier, when he tore his plantar fascia in the second quarter and passed for 341 yards and three scores.<br />
“We expected him to play. All we could go off of was the little bit we saw of Detroit,” Bradley said. “It didn’t seem to hamper him at all.”<br />
Some things to know about Jaguars-Saints:<br />
BREES’ NUMBERS: Brees was 25 of 36 without a turnover while tying Dan Marino for second all-time in the number of 400-yard passing games, one behind Peyton Manning’s 14. His touchdowns went for 17 yards to tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, 71 yards to Brandin Cooks and 44 yards to Cadet.<br />
Brees mobility was restricted, he said, but that only seemed to sharpen his focus in the pocket and make him more decisive. He completed 25 of 36 passes without a turnover.<br />
“Maybe the only thing you could draw a parallel to, or compare it to, is when you have one of your senses taken away, your other senses are heightened,” Brees said.<br />
BORDLES’ ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Bortles passed for 368 yards and four touchdowns, giving him his sixth 300-yard passing game this season, tying the franchise single-season mark set by Mark Brunell.<br />
REACHING 1,000: One receiver from each team crossed the 1,000-yard plateau for a single season. Hurns caught eight passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns to give Jacksonville its second 1,000-yard receiver, joining Robinson, who’d reached 1,000 earlier this season and who had 151 yards receiving, including a 90-yards TD.<br />
For the Saints, second-year receiver Cooks had 123 yards, giving him 1,116 yards to go with nine TDs in his second pro season.<br />
DUBIOUS DISTINCTION: Bortles’ four TDs meant the Saints have allowed 43 scoring passes this season, eclipsing the old NFL record of 40 in one season by the 1963 Denver Broncos, who went 2-11-1 in a 14-game season. It took the Saints 15 games to give up their 40th TD passing.<br />
HIGH ON HIGHTOWER: Hightower had not played in the three previous seasons because of a knee injury and subsequent complications but is looking increasingly rejuvenated. He showed burst on a 26-yard run and finished with 169 yards from scrimmage.<br />
Hightower said the opportunity the Saints gave him to come back is “not something that I take lightly or for granted.”<br />
Brees said the Saints have been lifted by Hightower’s performances in their past two victories.<br />
“Obviously the road that he’s traveled, trying to get back to where he’s playing, playing at a high level, certainly says a lot about him,” Brees said. “We all feed off of him and I’m inspired watching that guy run.”</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-kicker field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">By BRETT MARTEL, AP Sports Writer</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Section:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/nfl" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>NFL</span></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/drew-brees" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Drew Brees</span></a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/new-orleans-saints" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>New Orleans Saints</span></a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/nfl-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>NFL</span></a></div></div></div>Mon, 28 Dec 2015 20:01:23 +0000Geoffrey Stoute33194 at http://www.daily-review.comhttp://www.daily-review.com/nfl/despite-obstacles-brees-strong-win#commentsPayton says Brees is day-to-day with injuryhttp://www.daily-review.com/nfl/payton-says-brees-day-day-injury
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/football_530.jpg?itok=GjB_iGN2"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/football_530.jpg?itok=GjB_iGN2" width="350" height="525" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-dateline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">METAIRIE — </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Saints coach Sean Payton said Wednesday that it remains unclear whether quarterback Drew Brees will play in Sunday’s home finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars.<br />
Brees injured his right foot in Monday night’s loss to Detroit, but never missed a snap.<br />
Payton said Brees has had an MRI and was awaiting a second opinion from another doctor before deciding how to move forward.<br />
“We’re kind of taking it day by day,” Payton said. “Each day we’ll gather more information and have a better idea of where he will be as it pertains to playing.”<br />
The Saints, who’ve been eliminated from playoff contention, did not practice on Tuesday and did not have a practice scheduled Wednesday, either.<br />
Brees is scheduled to meet with reporters after practice Thursday afternoon.<br />
Payton said Brees, who has one more season left on his current contract, would be held out if Saints trainers were concerned about the risk of worsening the injury or exposing Brees to undue contact from pass rushers because of a lack of mobility.<br />
“Typically, if a player is playing, we have cleared him medically and he is not risking further injury,” Payton said. “If a player has a risk to further injure himself, we don’t play him. That would be in the regular season. That would be in the postseason. That would be with two weeks left to go in the season where we are at now.”<br />
Brees passed for 341 yards and three touchdowns Monday night, eclipsing 4,000 yards for a 10th straight season.<br />
If Brees does not play, the Saints’ backups are veteran former LSU star Matt Flynn and rookie Garrett Grayson, who was the first of New Orleans’ two third-round draft choices last spring out of Colorado State. Grayson was the third QB drafted last spring behind Tampa Bay’s Jameis Winston and Tennessee’s Marcus Mariota, who were taken first and second overall.<br />
Tight end Ben Watson said he suspects Flynn would be first in line to step in.<br />
“That would be my assumption. As far as I know, he is the backup quarterback, correct?” Watson said. “The only reason I say that is because during the game (Monday night) I know that Matt was warming up. I know he was up. That would be my assumption, but obviously that would be a coach’s decision once we got to the actual game.”<br />
Grayson has not taken a snap in a regular season game and usually is inactive on game days.<br />
Flynn is in his eighth NFL season. He has been a backup throughout his career and last started in 2013, when he received five starts for Green Bay in place of injured starter Aaron Rodgers. Flynn finished that season 1,146 yards and seven TDs passing.<br />
For his career, he has completed 61.3 percent of his passes for 2,541 yards and 17 touchdowns.<br />
“He has been around a lot of football. Obviously, the coaches brought him in understanding that he could learn some of the things that he needed to do if he were to have to perform,” Watson said of Flynn. “Garrett has been here as well for the whole year. I don’t know who it would be if Drew wasn’t there. But again, I’ll reiterate the fact that since I’ve been here, Drew hadn’t missed a game except for the Carolina game this year. He is usually pretty reliable, so the idea is that we’ll just go through the week and see if he is going to be up or not.”</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-kicker field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">By BRETT MARTEL, AP Sports Writer</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Section:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/nfl" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>NFL</span></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/drew-brees" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Drew Brees</span></a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/nfl-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>NFL</span></a></div></div></div>Thu, 24 Dec 2015 17:40:41 +0000Geoffrey Stoute33165 at http://www.daily-review.comhttp://www.daily-review.com/nfl/payton-says-brees-day-day-injury#commentsBrees won't defend his performance while Saints strugglehttp://www.daily-review.com/nfl/brees-wont-defend-his-performance-while-saints-struggle
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/football_504.jpg?itok=yVJZjnCR"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/football_504.jpg?itok=yVJZjnCR" width="350" height="525" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-dateline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">METAIRIE —</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Drew Brees shows no interest in discussing some of the ways he has succeeded individually, even as the New Orleans Saints have struggled this season.<br />
If Brees is even a little bothered by Cam Newton being widely portrayed as the marquee attraction when the unbeaten Carolina Panthers play in the Superdome this Sunday, the Saints’ record-setting quarterback is resisting saying so.<br />
“The only thing that will make us feel better is winning. You can go out and you can play well and if you lose it still stinks,” Brees said Wednesday. “There’s so much football left to be played and I’m not one who’s going to sit here and evaluate my season at this point. I just want to win and that’s my job and I obviously need to do a better job of that.”<br />
At 36, Brees hopes he still has a lot of football left, and there is some statistical evidence that he does. Even though he has missed a game with a throwing shoulder injury that he subsequently played through, his 3,200 yards passing rank fifth in the NFL.<br />
His 20 TDs are tied for ninth, although seven of those came in one victory against the struggling New York Giants.<br />
Brees’ 10 interceptions tie for ninth most in the NFL, but he has only one more than Newton. Brees has taken 25 sacks, which ties for 11th most in the NFL, but so has Tom Brady, whose New England Patriots are 10-1.<br />
If it seems like Brees is having a particularly challenging season, Saints coach Sean Payton said, it’s because the whole team is.<br />
“Anytime you are having a season like we are having, it’s my most challenging season, Drew’s most challenging season, (general manager Mickey Loomis’) most challenging season, (right guard) Jahri Evans’ most challenging season,” Payton said. “Shoot, that’s a result of being 4-7 and I think that he has done a lot of things. He has played in a number of these games at an extremely high level. I think as a team we have to look at what are the specifics of where we need to improve.”<br />
Brees’ shoulder injury came at a time when he was also trying to mold a young receiver corps that includes Willie Snead and Brandon Coleman, neither of whom had a regular season catch before this season, their second as pros. The Saints traded away two of Brees’ most productive targets from a season ago — tight end Jimmy Graham and speedy wide receiver Kenny Stills — and yet the quarterback is still managing to rack up yards, if not wins.<br />
“Every year there are some specific things that become more challenging (or) less challenging, and I think that would be no different this year,” Payton said. “Just watching him in the timing of what we are doing, it’s been good.”<br />
Yet the perception remains that Brees is having a rough year, and the fact that his 45-game streak with a touchdown ended last weekend during a lopsided loss at Houston didn’t help.<br />
“It is unfair because Drew does so much and he makes so many things happen and they are struggling,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. “It’s been tough and he is handling it like a pro and he is going to play hard and try and beat you and he wants to win and that’s the thing that I see.”<br />
NOTES: Seven Saints players sat out Wednesday’s practice. They were: LT Terron Armstead (knee); WR Marques Colston (rest); LB Dannell Ellerbe (hip), RG Jahri Evans Ankle (ankle), DT John Jenkins (concussion); S Jamarca Sanford (hip) and WR Willie Snead (calf). ... Saints cornerback Damian Swann (concussion) was listed as limited in practice, marking his first participation since Week 8. ... Carolina had two players sit out practice: DE Mario Addison (ankle) and CB Charles Tillman (knee).</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-kicker field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">By BRETT MARTEL, AP Sports Writer</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Section:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/nfl" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>NFL</span></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/drew-brees" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Drew Brees</span></a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/new-orleans-saints" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>New Orleans Saints</span></a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/football" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Football</span></a></div></div></div>Thu, 03 Dec 2015 20:32:13 +0000Geoffrey Stoute32735 at http://www.daily-review.comhttp://www.daily-review.com/nfl/brees-wont-defend-his-performance-while-saints-struggle#commentsBrees' TD streak snapped as Texans beat Saints 24-6http://www.daily-review.com/nfl/brees-td-streak-snapped-texans-beat-saints-24-6
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/football-line-of-scrimmage_136.jpg?itok=ghSz7tF9"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/football-line-of-scrimmage_136.jpg?itok=ghSz7tF9" width="350" height="520" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-dateline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">HOUSTON — </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Since coach Sean Payton took over in 2006, the New Orleans Saints had scored a touchdown in every game.<br />
That changed on Sunday in a 24-6 loss to the Houston Texans that extended the Saints’ skid to three games.<br />
Payton was certainly disappointed in the defeat, but wouldn’t say it was the most frustrated he’s been after a loss.<br />
“So let’s not look for the ‘most frustrated ever’ headline,” Payton said.<br />
New Orleans (4-7) didn’t score a touchdown for the first time since 2005, snapping a streak of 155 games and Drew Brees’ streak of games with a touchdown pass ended at 45.<br />
The last time the Saints didn’t score a touchdown was Dec. 24, 2005 against Detroit and Brees’ last game without a touchdown pass came on Nov. 29, 2012 against Atlanta.<br />
“It’s disappointing to lose a game like that, and it’s definitely disappointing not to score a touchdown,” Payton said.<br />
But the problems weren’t limited to offense as the defense gave up several big plays in the first game since defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was fired and replaced by Dennis Allen.<br />
“There will be some things that we’ve got to clean up, but overall it was organized and efficient,” Payton said of Allen’s first game.<br />
Brian Hoyer, who threw two touchdown passes, went 7 for 7 on the opening drive, capped by a 10-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Griffin, to make it 7-0 and give Houston a score on the opening possession for the first time this season.<br />
The Texans (6-5) have won four games in a row for the first time since winning six straight in 2012.<br />
Brees was 25 of 44 for 228 yards. The Saints converted just 3 of 12 third down attempts.<br />
“You get in third and long against these guys, you are asking for trouble because obviously they dial up the pass rush,” Brees said.<br />
Hoyer was 21 of 27 with an interception in his return after missing last week’s game with a concussion.<br />
An 8-yard touchdown run by Alfred Blue extended Houston’s lead to 21-6 in the third. Griffin grabbed a short pass in the middle of the field and dashed for a 37-yard gain on that drive.<br />
J.J. Watt had two sacks to push his NFL lead to 13 1/2 and would have had another, but Brees threw the ball into the turf as Watt wrapped him up and was penalized for intentional grounding in the second quarter.<br />
“We just got completely out-executed and outplayed,” New Orleans tackle Zach Strief said. “That’s on us. That’s on the players. The schemes are good. We have to win battles.”<br />
Kareem Jackson, who returned after missing four games with an ankle injury, intercepted Brees at the goal line in the third quarter and returned it 50 yards. He might have gone all the way, but Jadeveon Clowney, who was downfield blocking, got in his way, allowing the defense to catch up and bring him down.<br />
Griffin knocked down the pylon on his way out of bounds on his touchdown on the first drive and the play was reviewed but upheld because the ball crossed the goal line.<br />
The Texans pushed the lead to 14-0 when Hoyer threw a shovel pass to Cecil Shorts for a touchdown on the next drive.<br />
Hoyer completed his first 11 passes before he was intercepted by Jairus Byrd. But the Saints couldn’t move the ball and had to punt.<br />
The Saints cut the lead to 14-3 on a 30-yard field goal in the second quarter. That score was set up by a 29-yard run by Mark Ingram.<br />
New Orleans trailed 14-6 at halftime after a career-long 57-yard field goal by Kai Forbath.<br />
NOTES: New Orleans WR Marques Colston finished with three receptions for 38 yards to give him 702 receptions in his career. ... Houston WR DeAndre Hopkins caught a pass in his 43rd straight game and finished with five receptions for 36 yards.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-kicker field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">By KRISTIE RIEKEN, AP Sports Writer</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Section:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/nfl" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>NFL</span></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/new-orleans-saints" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>New Orleans Saints</span></a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/drew-brees" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Drew Brees</span></a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/nfl-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>NFL</span></a></div></div></div>Mon, 30 Nov 2015 21:00:49 +0000Geoffrey Stoute32635 at http://www.daily-review.comhttp://www.daily-review.com/nfl/brees-td-streak-snapped-texans-beat-saints-24-6#commentsTitans rookie QB looking forward to chance to play Breeshttp://www.daily-review.com/nfl/titans-rookie-qb-looking-forward-chance-play-brees
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/football_463.jpg?itok=ltG-bRcW"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/football_463.jpg?itok=ltG-bRcW" width="350" height="525" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-dateline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">NASHVILLE, Tenn. — </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees is coming off a game in which he threw seven touchdowns passes.<br />
His counterpart on Sunday, rookie Marcus Mariota hasn’t thrown one TD in the last two games, he hasn’t had the opportunity. Mariota has been sidelined with a sprained left knee, though the Tennessee Titans certainly hope he can play against the Saints.<br />
Mariota also just lost the head coach who had been grooming him since last spring.<br />
But despite all that, Mariota believes playing against Brees will be a lot of fun.<br />
“It’s definitely a challenge, and our defense is preparing like no other to face this guy,” Mariota said. “But again, I’m just going to do my best to focus on what my game plan is and prepare the best that I can.”<br />
He’d better. This will be his test against someone of Brees’ stature.<br />
Mariota has played against fellow rookie Jameis Winston, Johnny Manziel of Cleveland, Andrew Luck of Indianapolis, Buffalo’s Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Tannehill of Miami.<br />
Brees is a 15-year veteran coming off one of the best games by a quarterback in NFL history. He completed 78 percent of his passes for 505 yards and those seven TDs in last week’s 52-49 win over the New York Giants. If Brees throws four TDs — or more — against the Titans on Sunday, that would give him the most TD passes after a seven TD-performance.<br />
“You don’t go out and say I’m going to try to throw for 500 yards this week or throw for seven touchdowns,” Brees said. “I mean there are a lot of things that have to come together for that to happen, and so look how much football we have all played and that’s only happened very few times.”<br />
Titans cornerback Jason McCourty said Brees has proven year in and year out that he is one of the NFL’s better quarterbacks. Brees already has 15 TD passes this season for the Saints (4-4), and the Titans will counter with a defense currently third in the NFL allowing 197.9 yards passing per game.<br />
“Hopefully his arm’s a little tired from throwing seven touchdown passes he won’t be able to repeat it,” McCourty said.<br />
That’s the kind of quarterback the Titans (1-6) hope they have in Mariota and why they made him the No. 2 pick overall out of Oregon in the draft. Mariota already has nine TD passes himself in five starts, and he has a 93.2 passer rating that puts him 14th in the NFL behind Ben Roethlisberger of Pittsburgh and ahead of Atlanta’s Matt Ryan.<br />
Mariota needs three more TD passes to tie the franchise record for most TD passes in a season set by Vince Young in 2006, and the rookie has shown he’s very comfortable staying in the pocket using his arm first rather than his legs. Mariota is completing 64 percent of his passes and has run only 10 times for 72 yards.<br />
“Obviously, he’s big and athletic,” New Orleans coach Sean Payton said of Mariota. “He looks comfortable. I would say this, the one thing that’s been impressive is just his accuracy and location early on for such a young player.”<br />
Now Mariota is facing a big test.<br />
The coach who helped select Mariota last spring, Ken Whisenhunt, was fired Tuesday by a controlling owner unhappy with losing 16 of the last 17 games and allowing 28 sacks. Amy Adams Strunk watched as the Texans sacked Mariota’s backup, Zach Mettenberger, seven times. Mariota was hurt Oct. 18 when sacked five times in the first 30 minutes by Miami.<br />
Mariota called the coaching change tough after he built a relationship with Whisenhunt.<br />
“It’s a tough business,” Mariota said. “We’ve got to move forward. There’s still nine games left in the season. We’re not out of our division. We’ve just kind of got to dust ourselves off and get ready for the Saints.”<br />
Strunk has made it clear protecting Mariota is a priority, even if it means keeping him out of games while he heals. Mariota practiced fully Wednesday and said he’s moving “fairly decent.” The rookie took his share of responsibility for all the sacks.<br />
“It’s also within the quarterback’s job to get the ball out quick and do our best to avoid sacks,” Mariota said. “I’ll do my best to hold up my end.”</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-kicker field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">By TERESA M. WALKER</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Section:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/nfl" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>NFL</span></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tennessee-titans" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Tennessee Titans</span></a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/marcus-mariota" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Marcus Mariota</span></a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/drew-brees" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Drew Brees</span></a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/new-orleans-saints" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>New Orleans Saints</span></a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/football" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Football</span></a></div></div></div>Fri, 06 Nov 2015 18:34:44 +0000Geoffrey Stoute32149 at http://www.daily-review.comhttp://www.daily-review.com/nfl/titans-rookie-qb-looking-forward-chance-play-brees#commentsBrees' trust growing in Saints' younger receivers http://www.daily-review.com/nfl/brees-trust-growing-saints-younger-receivers
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/football_461.jpg?itok=lqMxcUlU"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/football_461.jpg?itok=lqMxcUlU" width="350" height="525" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-dateline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">NEW ORLEANS — </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Brandin Cooks attaches special significance to his 18th NFL game.<br />
That was when his perception of what the New Orleans Saints’ passing offense was — and should be again — became reality.<br />
Better yet, he and another young member of the receiving corps — Willie Snead — played a lot like some of the pass-catchers of the past who helped quarterback Drew Brees set many of his records.<br />
When Brees passed for a career-high and franchise-record seven touchdowns in a 52-49 triumph over the New York Giants last Sunday, more than half of his scoring strikes went to Cooks and Snead, who caught two apiece.<br />
“Last week was a true definition of feeling what the Saints’ offense used to be like,” Cooks said after practice Wednesday, as New Orleans prepared to host Tennessee this Sunday. “I remember seeing those numbers back while I was in college. I was like, man, these guys are ripping them apart. Now I know what it is. So when people ask me, ‘How does it feel to be in the Saints’ offense. I can go off a game like that.”<br />
The Saints have four regular receivers, led by 10-year veteran Marques Colston, the franchise’s all-time leading receiver. The other three are Cooks, Snead and Brandon Coleman, who are all second-year pros. Cooks played 10 regular season games last season before his hand injury landed him on injured reserve. Coleman and Snead never played in a regular season game until this season.<br />
Combined, the three young receivers accounted for 13 catches for 172 yards last Sunday — an effective complement to strong performances by Colston and veteran tight end Ben Watson, who both also had touchdown catches to go with 100-plus yards receiving each.<br />
Brees suggested it would take more time to build the same chemistry with his three newest receivers that he had for years with Lance Moore, Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem, who were all part of the Saints’ Super Bowl winning team in 2009 and 13-win squad in 2011. They were the four main receivers for four straight years, while Colston, Henderson and Moore played together regularly for most of six seasons.<br />
“That’s pretty rare in this league to have that kind of staying power, that type of consistency between quarterback and receiver,” Brees said. “So the chemistry between us was awesome.”<br />
Brees said the challenge with new receivers is that each play call can have a “double meaning,” depending on the way a defense is aligned. So it takes time for a quarterback to gain trust and confidence that a receiver is reading the defense the same way he is, and will make the same adjustment.<br />
For Brees, the improving chemistry with his newest receivers was evident in how effective the Saints were against the Giants.<br />
“I feel more and more comfortable with those guys each and every time we step on the field,” Brees said. “Getting on the same page with a lot of these concepts that maybe involve a little bit of decision making on the receiver’s part, or adjustments or nuances — I think our guys are getting better at that.”<br />
Cooks said it was important for him, as well as Snead and Coleman, to be part of one of Brees’ classic games — to know what it looks like and feels like on the field.<br />
“That’s all you can ask for as a young player,” Cooks said. “You can always go off of past stories, but, you know, we weren’t here. To be able to go through it yourselves, that’s more important than going off of history.”<br />
It might even be the first step toward making history.<br />
“I’m excited because these young guys, I feel like, are going to be around for a while,” Brees said of Cooks, Snead and Coleman. “So we’re really going to have a chance to do something unique.”<br />
Notes: Snead, who has knee soreness, was among nine players who sat out practice on Wednesday. The others were left tackle Terron Armstead (knee), Colston (rest), linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (hip), guard Jahri Evans (rest), cornerback Damian Swann (concussion), defensive tackle Kevin Williams (rest), linebacker Ramon Humber (hamstring) and linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha (ankle).</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-kicker field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">By BRETT MARTEL, AP Sports Writer</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Section:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/nfl" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>NFL</span></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/drew-brees" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Drew Brees</span></a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/new-orleans-saints" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>New Orleans Saints</span></a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/wide-receivers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>wide receivers</span></a></div></div></div>Thu, 05 Nov 2015 19:20:28 +0000Geoffrey Stoute32104 at http://www.daily-review.comhttp://www.daily-review.com/nfl/brees-trust-growing-saints-younger-receivers#comments Brees' big plays late help Saints put away Colts 27-21http://www.daily-review.com/nfl/brees-big-plays-late-help-saints-put-away-colts-27-21
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/football_449.jpg?itok=fWDjGd1m"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.daily-review.com/sites/stmarynow.com/files/styles/medium/public/field/image/football_449.jpg?itok=fWDjGd1m" width="350" height="525" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-dateline field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">INDIANAPOLIS —</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Drew Brees isn’t slowing down. Neither are the Saints.<br />
On a day New Orleans rushed for 183 yards and three touchdowns and the defense produced four sacks and three turnovers, it was the 36-year-old quarterback who did just enough in the final three minutes Sunday to preserve a badly-needed 27-21 victory at Indianapolis.<br />
“When you have a chance to win the game, you want to make the play to win the game,” Brees said.<br />
The former Purdue star has been doing that for years, and he wasn’t about to change his strategy at what might have been his final football game in Indiana.<br />
Instead, Brees went for it.<br />
He led the Saints (3-4) to three touchdowns in a five-minute span during the first half, drove them to another score to start the second half for a seemingly safe 27-0 lead and then made two key plays in the final 8 1/2 minutes — a 47-yard pass to Brandin Cooks to avoid punting from their own end zone and a 20-yard completion to Marques Colston on third-and-4 with 1:58 to play that sealed the win.<br />
Brees finished 28 of 44 with 255 yards, one touchdown and one interception.<br />
He had plenty of help, too.<br />
Mark Ingram ran 14 times for 143 yards and one touchdown, Khiry Robinson ran for two scores and Marcus Murphy recovered Indy’s onside kick moments after Andrew Luck’s third TD pass of the day got the Colts within one score.<br />
But the Saints continued to stay aggressive against the AFC South-leading Colts (3-4).<br />
After recovering the onside kick, the Saints put the ball in Brees’ hands and let him win it.<br />
“Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games and he’s a big-time player,” Brees said of Colston’s catch. “He knew it was coming his way and it was awesome.”<br />
Luck was 23 of 44 for 333 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. T.Y. Hilton caught four passes for 150 yards, including a career-best 87 yard touchdown pass to make it 27-7 and a 46-yard TD pass that made it 27-14 with 1 second left in the third quarter.<br />
Here are some other things we learned from Sunday’s game:<br />
TRICK PLAYS DO WORK: One week after Indy’s botched fake punt took the air out of Lucas Oil Stadium, the Saints swung the momentum with a fake field goal in the first quarter. After losing both coach’s challenges during that drive, the Saints lined up for a 44-yard field goal. Holder and backup quarterback Luke McCown instead threw a 25-yard pass to Ben Watson. On the next play, Robinson scored on a 1-yard run to make it 7-0.<br />
MISTAKES STILL HURT: Colts coach Chuck Pagano has spent most of the first half of this season trying to eliminate mistakes. That certainly wasn’t the case in the first half when Luck threw two interceptions and the Colts lost a fumble. New Orleans converted two of the turnovers into touchdowns to make it 20-0 early in the second quarter. Indy also finished with seven penalties, many of which came at critical times.<br />
THE GRIND: New Orleans’ ground game got on track Sunday. With Ingram leading the way, the Saints averaged 5.1 yards per carry. Indy, which has talked long and hard about finding balance in the offense, ran only 13 times for 75 yards. While the 5.8 average looks good, playing catch-up has forced the Colts to become one-dimensional far too often this season.<br />
DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS: The Saints won their first road game of the season and now have back-to-back wins for the first time in almost 12 full months. The Colts, meanwhile, have lost two straight — both at home. And for the only the third time in Pagano’s four seasons with the Colts, Indy has lost back-to-back games. They’ve never lost three straight in the regular season under Pagano.<br />
WHAT’S NEXT: Pagano was unusually blunt in his postgame comments. He called the first half “unacceptable” and used expletives a couple of times in expressing his continued frustration. He even denied that Luck’s struggles are the result of his injured right shoulder. “It’s on us,” Pagano said. “We’re going to come in tomorrow, we’re going to look at the tape like we always do and we’re going to get it fixed.”</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-kicker field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">By MICHAEL MAROT, AP Sports Writer</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-section field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Section:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/nfl" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>NFL</span></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/new-orleans-saints" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>New Orleans Saints</span></a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/drew-brees" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Drew Brees</span></a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/football" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype=""><span>Football</span></a></div></div></div>Tue, 27 Oct 2015 00:37:26 +0000Geoffrey Stoute31884 at http://www.daily-review.comhttp://www.daily-review.com/nfl/brees-big-plays-late-help-saints-put-away-colts-27-21#comments